Machine for testing cans.



W. e. MOFFET. MACHINE FOR TESTING CANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1.

W. G. MOPFET.

MACHINE FOR TESTING CANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET, 2.

W. G. MOFFBT. MACHINE FOR TESTING CANS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1911.

Patented July 16, 1912.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

u sit r FFlE.

msonzinn non TESTING cans.

e acies.

To all whomit may -c'oaccm 7 Be it known' that I, .lZYI'LLIAM Morrn'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in-thec'ounty of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Testing Cans, ofwhichtheiollowing is a specitication My invention. relates to can testing ma chines and Thas particular reference to a m achine'of this description which shall be simploin construction, eflicient in operrrtionv and easil "kept in repair.

in the construction and operation of can testing machines, both. of the vacuum and tl1e ,prcssure types, many difficulties have been encountered. 'One dificulty is that of maintaining the vacuum or pressure With out loss due to leakage; another disadvantage -'is the ditiiculty in securing eflicientopei-ationiofisllich machine s; Where the air pressure orvacuum is not constant ;'=.that is,

a maohine vi hicli may operate successfully atflfive'pounds pressure may operate very indifierently at two pounds or ten pounds,

Pressure, With these difficulties and di'sadvantages lin, View, I- have'produced a ma-=' chineaii exemplification t WlllCh is shown andldescrihed'herem, having the following ad vantages;

. The air pressure or vacuum is deliiv .eri to the can testing terminals by such mechanism thatbut one stuthng box is necessur this stuifing box being located on the 0 main shaft Where it may bekept tight and leak proof- Without: unnecessary binding of the parts' This a decided advantage over. constructions wherein there is a studing box for each terminal. or individual can testing combination of elements.

Second. The ,arrantremcnt of mechanism in a can testing. machine whereby there is absolutely eilicient operation under variations in pressure or vacuum; the parts being sufficiently sensitive to operate at one ounce or ten poundspressurc with equal results.

This is accomplished by means of novel diaphragms and electrical contacts, all as will be described later.

'lhird. 'lo produce a novel valve which shall have a doulz-loseal to prevent possible leakage.

My invention will begnore readily understo d by; reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure l is a side elevation of a fragment 1 fi-flpecification of Letters Patent. Pa-tented Julylfi, 1912, a position ma July 5, 1911. Serial no. 637,031.

of a can carrying Wheel showing my novel can testing machine; Fig. 2 is a viewof the portion of the Wheel shown in Fig. 1 looking from the opposite side; Fig. 3 is a detail partly in section, showing my novel detector mechanism; F ig. lfis' an elevation of the construction shown in Fig. 3; F ig. 5 is an enlarged detail of my novel diaphragms and electrical contacts operated thereby; Fig. 6 is a detail of the double valve operating means, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmerr tary detail of the fixed contact and the contact associated with eachunit.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be seen that 1 provide a shaft 10, which is mounted in suitable bearings in a frame Work and connected to a suitable source of power, but as these features constitute no part of my invention, I have not illustrated the same'.- To the shaft 10 is keyed a large rotary element such as the wheel shown in the drawings, this Wheel comprising a "hub 1l,' radial spokes 12 and rim 13. Concentric With the shaft 10 and carried by the rotary element, lproidde a tube or header 14, connected by means of a further tube 15, to a longitudinal passage spaced around the rim and each unit is ccn.-.

nected through a suitable tube 17 with the header 14. Inasmuch as each'of the testing devices is a duplicate of the'othcr, I shall proceed to a description of one only.

Transversely of the "rim 13 and preferably-integral therewith, I provide a tubular portion 18. Mounted for reciprocation Within the tubular portion 18 I provide a shaft 19, this shaft having rigidly secured at one end a clamping member 20, this member being suitably strengthened by a rib 21. In order to provide for fine ad justment of the clamping member with referencc to the can to be clamped, I provide limiting or adjusting nuts 22, 23, threaded on the shaft- 19. Carried by the opposite end of the shuttle a short link 24, pivoted to 21 further link 25, fixed to a shaft 26, mounted in the bearing 27, secured to the rim 13. Also fixed to the shaft 26 is a short lever arm 28 having fixed to its free end air rubber. Against this the open end of the anti-friction roller 29. It will be seen that by means of the shaft and the various links referred to the clamping head 20, may be 'reciprocated as required. Carried within a circular depression in the rim 13 is a packilig element 30, preferably composed of soft can to be treated is thrust by the-clamping head 20. Transverse and radial passages 31, 32 respectively are provided in the rim 13, the passage31being preferably concen- .tric with a can held between the clamps.

Within the passage 32 I mount a short tube 33, which is in effect a continuation of the tube '17, heretofore referred to.

Interposed between the tubes 33 and 17 I mount my novel valve. This comprises a casing 34, having two oppositely disposed valve seats 35,36. Valves 37,- 38 are provided each valve being connected to short rods 39, 4O terminating in a rocker 41, fixed to a valve stem 42. to the valve stem through the two operating fingers 43, Suitable packing glands are provided at the openings in the casing 34 in order to prevent air leakage.

Within the passage 30 I mount a shaft 45, 1 containing for at least a portion of its length a port 46. The outer end of the port 31 is closed by a suitable gland orwrclc ing 47. A casing 48 is' secured to the im 13 and contains a bearing 49 for the guidance of the end of the shaft 45. Pivoted on a lug 50, within the casing 48 is provided a rocker 51, adapted to malre and break an electrical contact under the action of the diaphragms 52, concentrically mounted'on the shaft 45. Connection of the rocker 51 to the shaft 45 is provided by means of the slip connegtion 53. The advantage derived from the-use of a sliding instead-of a positive connection will be apparent hereinafter. A collar 45' is provided on the shaft 45 and to this collar is soldered vthe upper edge.

of the top diaphragm 52, whereas the lower wall of the bottom diaphragm is soldered to the rim 13 or to the member 47 as shown; It will be seen also that the diaphragms are soldered to each other at their middle portions and that the port 46 in the shaft 45 communicates with the interiors 1?: thesaid.

diaphragm. I prefer to construct the said diaphragms of metal thus providing against the deterioration common in the use of rubber or rubber lined diaphragms. Also mounted within the casin'g48 a plug 54, pro erly insulated from the casing by means of t e insulating packing 55 and containing a screw-threaded electrical contact '56. A

contact piece 56' is secured to aportion of the'frame work at a point just opposite the im erfect can chute 69, that is','1t is so p0 sitionedthat'an' electrical im ulse'will cause the discharge of ect can at this point as will ribed. elec- Motion is transmitted trical conduit 57 connects the contaet;

with a magnet or solenoid 59, there being a.

battery 58 interposed in the circuit. The negative or return connection may be through the machine. The magnet '59 is carried in a bracket 60 secured to the frame work of the machine, the same bracket' carrying at its outer end a shaft 61 to one end of which is secured a short lever arm 62. .A link 63 connects the arm 62' toa rocker 64, pivoted at 65 to a portion of the magnet. One end of the rocker constitutes an armature 66. Secured to the other end of the shaft 61 is a cam member 67 normally held in raised position, as shown in Fig. 4, by means of a .coil spring 68. It will be understood that the magnet and cam 67 are adaptedlto discharge cans in which a leak has been found and that there is but one magnet andcam for each complete wheel. This magnet is located as., shown in Fig. 2 just opposite the imperfeet can chute 69.. A perfect can chute 70 is provided above the imperfect can chute 1 67. Any cans which pass the test and are not discharged by' the electrical detector heretofore described will surely be released when the rocker arm 28 with its anti-friction roller 29 contacts the cam 72. The cam 73 is reversely shaped and closes the head 20 upon a can, the parts being held in closed lot position by reason of the fact that the short arms 24, 25, are thrown pastcenter as shown in'Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 3, a can has been clamped between the clamping head 20 and the acking 30. I In 0 er to provide effective means for discharging the cans when released by the clampinghead, I prefer. to provide a rockable cradle in which the cans are seated. This cradle is composed of a semi-circular portion 74, pivoted on a shaft 75, the cradle b'ei normally held in position to receive a can y means of a coil sprin 76, secured .at one end'to the cradle and at tIie other end 77 to the tubular portion 18 of the wheel. Rigid with the shaft 751 provide ashortarm 78 having an anti-friction roller 79 thereon. The shaft 75- is secured as shown in Fig. 3, in bearings provided in the head 20 and is adapted to be shifted longitudi nally thereby. It will be seen therefore that on the shifting of the head to release the can, the roller 79 will beprojected into the path of one of two cams 80, 81, secured trill-1a poi-aun the framework in the .ma-

chine and the cradle'will be rocked thus throwing the can into the proper chute.

In order to provide for the shifting of the .air admission valve by means of the two arms 43, 44-, on the stem thereof, I provide steps 82, 83, on theirarne Work of the ma chine, so located that the valve will he shitted at the proper point. In Fig. 1 the arm 43 has contacted the stop 82 and the valve been opened. In the unit above the one thus acted upon the arm 44 is about to contact stop 83 and close the valve.

The operation of my can testing machine is as tollowszlAssuining the Wheel to be in motion and Without having previously been supplied with cans to be tested, a quantity of previously formed cans are supplied to the chute 71/ These descend and the first thereof 1s seated in the cradle "it of one of the units, the head 20 being retracted to per mit the entrance of the can. Vl ith the continued rotation of the wheel the testing unit containing the can referred to is elevated until the roller 29, on the arm 28, contacts the under side of cam '73 and causes the shifting of the head it) and the clamping of the an against the packing 3t Continued movement causes the arm 43 to contact the stop SQ-and shift the double valve whereby air under pressure is admitted, to the interior of the can. This causes the inflation of the diaphragins 52 and the shifting of the contact arm 51, thus breaking any electrical contact theretotore made. The air pressure remains inthe can until, after contiinied r0- tation, the arm 44 strikes the stop 83 and causes the closing or the double valve, thus shutting off the air supply. The Wheel con tinues its rotation and it during its revolution air shouldescape tl'irough a leak in the can, the diaphragms 52 will contract, carrying the shaft lfmvith them and likewise the arm 51 until the arm touches the contact 56; then -when the proper point has been reached, that is,opposile the im 'ierfect can chute, the circuit Wil l he closed thus causing the shifting of the armature 56 and likewise ot the cam 67. The lower point of the cam 37 will then project underneath the roller 29 and cause the elevation of the same and the action of the head 20, together with the arm 78 and its roller 79. Thus the roller 79 will contact the cam $0 and cause the discharge of the detective can into the chute 69. It, however, no letks are discovered in the can, no action will take place until the roller 2!) contacts the permanent cam 72 and causes the shifting of the head and roller 79 with the consequent discharge of the can into the perfect can chute 70. A complete cycle of operations has been described but it will be understood that during the operatioi'is here tol'ore described further cans have been received in the can cradles and the operation is made continuous.

It will be seen that by reason of the slipjoint between the shaft 45 and the connection 53, if a very high pressure is received from the source of supply, the diaphragins may expand and the shaft be projected to its li1nit.. However, the movement of the contact arm 51 is very slight after it shifted to its extent. of movement the shaft will slide through the connection However, on the reti'urn moven'lent it will be seen 5 that the very slightest retraction of the shaft will cause the shifting of the arm and consequent completion of the electrical circuit. This construction is specili -ally claimed in my (impending application Serial $11. 537,032.

l'ly reason of the double valve heretofore described, there is no possible escape of air from either way, that is, from the air confined in the can or from the pressure exte- 5 rior to the testing unit.

it will be understood that a though I have described my testing mecluinism as particularly adapted for use under air pressure, it may be used with equal facility in connection with vacuum. in that instance, the arrangement oi the diaphragins and contact pieces would be reversed.

I claim:

1. A can testing machine comprising, in combination, a rotatable conveyor, a plurality of can testing units carried by said conveyor, each said unit including a clamping lead carried by a shaft, a toggle joint for shifting said snatt and holding said head in clamping position, a pivotally mounted can receiving cradle associated with said clamping head, detector mechanism, means for supplying fluid pressure to the interior of a can hold by said clamping heads, and means tor shitting said clamping heads and discharging imperlect cans from said conveyor, said means including an electrical magnet and an electricalcontact, substantially as described.

2. Can testing mechanism comprising, in combination, a conveyor, a plurality ol. can clamping and testing units carr d by said conveyor, a fluid supply conne on to each of said units, an electric motor,- a phirality of cams contiguous to said convey r, one of said cams being adapted to be shifted by said electric motor, a diaphragm associated with each testing unit, shittable contacts adapted for actuation by said diaphragn'is, an electrical circuit having a source of electrical energy interposed therein and connccted with said electric motor whereby upon the closing of said electrical circuit an imperfect can is unclampcd and discharged conveyer, said clamping means including a toggle joint, an electric motor, a plurality of cams mounted exteriorly of said conveyer,

. one of said cams being adapted to be shifted terior of said diaphragms with said fluid supply connection, a pivoted contact piece mounted for actuation by said diaphragms, and connections betweensaidcontact piece and said motor whereby onset the cams .is shifted to cause the unclampin of a can carried by said conveyor", substantially as described.

4. Gan testinggmechanism comprising, in combi-natlon, a conveyor, a plurality of can clamping and testing units carried: by said conveyer, said '1 clamping means including a toggle joint, :a;(plural ity of cams mounted exteriorly of SM conveyor, one of said cams being adapted-to be shifted-by amclectric motor, said can clamping and testing unitseach including a shaft, said shaft carrying a clamping head adapted to bezactuated and held in clamping positionby the togglc joinhfluid supply connect-ions to each unit,

diaphragms, means connecting the interior of said diaphragms with-said fluid supply connection, a pivotally mounted contact .piece havlng a flexible connection to said diaphragms, andconnections between said contact piece and said electric motor where-' by one of-the cams'is actuated to cause the unclamping of a can carried by saidYconveyer, substantially as described,

5. A can testing machine comprising, in

combinatioma traveling element having a:

plurality of can testing units associated therewith, a shaft traveling with said traveling element, said shaft containing a duct, a header carried by said traveling element, tubes connecting each can testing unit with said header, a valve in each tube, said-valve having a double seal, and a tube connecting said header with the duct in said shaft, substantially as described.

v6. A can testing machine comprising,'in 1 combination, a traveling element havinga plurality of canvtesting units associated therewith, a shaft traveling with said traveling element, said shaft containing a duct,

a header carried by said traveling elemefi't, I

tubes connecting each can testing unit with said header, a double valve in each tube, said valve haying reversely positioned seats, and a tube connecting said header with the duct in-said shaft, substantially as described.

71A can testing machine c0mprising, 1 n

combination, a traveling element having-a pllrality' of can testing units associated therewith, a fluid supply COIlIleQtlOlI toea'chx of said units, a pair of reversely positioned;

valves and a valve stem in said connection,

both said valves being operable from said;

stemy substantially as described. 1

Witnesses:

Jesse W. NwHoLs, Asmara B. STnAT'roN.

copies of'thie patent may be obtained vfor flve cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents} .Washington, D. 0. I i

WILLIAM G. "Mo'FFETi' 1 

